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Fort Worth resident alleges police retaliation, plans federal lawsuits
Summary
A Fort Worth resident said he plans to file three federal lawsuits alleging retaliation and constitutional violations by Fort Worth police, and warned the council change will come through litigation if not voluntarily.
Basil Zangari, who identified himself as a citizen and a U.S. Marine, told the Fort Worth City Council at public comment that Fort Worth Police Department officers repeatedly violated his rights and that he plans to file three federal lawsuits against the city for retaliation, Fourth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment violations.
Zangari said the incidents included recent conduct during a live stream at the Trinity Metro Station on Jones Street. “Fort Worth Officers operate more like a goon squad than a professional police force,” he said, and he told the council he has prepared lawsuits alleging retaliation, unlawful searches or seizures, and due-process violations. He referenced the Turner v. Driver case in 2017 as an example of previous litigation involving the city.
Zangari said he would not stop pursuing the claims and warned that change would come either voluntarily or through federal intervention. His remarks were delivered during public comment; no council action or staff response was recorded at the meeting.
